Waterloo residents fight Parkinson's disease through boxing

By META HEMENWAY-FORBES

Updated 5:53 am, Saturday, February 20, 2016

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Twice a week, Paul Foote tapes up, puts on the gloves and fights for his life.

On a recent morning, the 78-year-old stood under the speed bag at the Cedar Valley Boxing Club, rhythmically pounding out alternating lefts and rights. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (http://bit.ly/21b0Okg ) reports that it's a long way from his first visit to the club.

"When Paul started out he couldn't hit the speed bag more than once," said Steve Rice, a coach for the club. "Now, two months later, he can pound out quite a few hits."

It's knockout progress for Foote, who was diagnosed eight years ago with Parkinson's disease, a degenerative movement disorder that can cause deterioration of motor skills, balance, speech and sensory function.

Studies show exercise benefits Parkinson's patients by reducing tremors and improving balance, gait, flexibility and motor coordination, according to the National Parkinson Foundation. Additionally, it can possibly slow disease progression.

But several years ago, researchers at the University of Indianapolis College of Health Sciences zeroed in on the high intensity of boxing workouts in reducing symptoms of and, in some cases, arresting Parkinson's disease. There's now even a national boxing program for Parkinson's patients called Rock Steady, an Indianapolis-based organization that offers classes in gyms across the country.

Timi Brown-Powers, Med Fit Program facilitator at Covenant Wellness Center, who leads fitness classes for Parkinson's patients two days a week, encourages all who attend her class to also hit the Cedar Valley Boxing Club. So far, four of the regulars in Brown's classes, including Foote and Terry Hertges, also participate in Rice's boxing program.

Brown said Rice's program is built on big and opposite-side movements, which are key for Parkinson's patients.

"They're always shifting from one side to the other," Brown-Powers said. "With Parkinson's their gross motor skills shrink. What this boxing program does is open them up, making them move their legs and their arms. We're seeing some good results with balance because with boxing they start focusing on the moves that really engage that balance and core strength. It is critical for Parkinson's patients to keep moving and keep pushing."

Rice admits he knew very little about Parkinson's disease before Hertges, who leads a local Parkinson's support group, approached him last spring about training in his gym. For 30 years, Rice, a former boxer himself, has trained amateur and professional boxers. But never someone with Parkinson's.

"I only knew that one of boxing's greats, Muhammed Ali, has it," Rice said.

But he was open to Hertges' suggestion he give her a shot in the ring.

"Terry educated me and put me in touch with the folks at Rock Steady, who gave me the information I needed," Rice said.

Since then, Hertges has showed up faithfully twice a week and recruited other Parkinson's patients like Foote, to run through boxing drills at the club.

"I work on strengthening strengths and weaknesses," Rice said. "They do what other boxers do here, except contact. They do footwork, I show them stances and how to hold their hands up, how to throw combinations. They use the speed bag to bring muscle and brain together. I work with them with catch mitts. I stay on them. I push them, within their ability, and make them step outside their comfort zone."

Evidence abounds of the program's success. Foote's strength, balance and coordination have improved. In addition to speed bag progress, he can now sit on the floor, feet in the air, while tossing a 12-pound medicine ball back and forth with a workout partner.

"Before, he had trouble just getting up off the floor," Rice said.

As for Hertges, her first step at the gym was the hardest. When she began working with Rice last spring, she struggled to even get to the gritty, second-floor gym.

"She lacked coordination and strength," Rice said. "At first she couldn't climb the stairs to get up here."

Today, she whips through the workouts like a champ.

"Terri is the first one here and the last one to leave," Rice said. "She's come a long way. Her self-confidence is sky-high; she's more sure of herself. She's just full of fire. She's found hope."